Preview: West Ham United v Crystal Palace

30 January 2018

After a 10-day gap between matches, a refreshed Palace head east across the capital to take on West Ham United at the London Stadium on Tu

Despite crashing out of the FA Cup at the hands of League One Wigan Athletic on Saturday, the Hammers' league form has improved dramatically since David Moyes' appointment in November, having won four and drawn five of his 15 Premier League matches at the helm.

They have also gone five matches without defeat in the division, winning two and drawing three, but a crippling injury list over recent weeks has made Moyes' task harder ahead of Palace's second visit to the former Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

Hammers enjoying unbeaten start to 2018

West Ham's performances in their last five games have led them to sixth spot in the form table, and they are unbeaten in the Premier League since the turn of the year. That began with an Andy Carroll double to beat West Bromwich Albion, before Pedro Obiang's stunner earned a point at Tottenham Hotspur.

A crushing 4-1 win at Huddersfield Town followed that up, before Javier Hernandez quickly cancelled out Bournemouth's opener to get a draw in their last league encounter.

Cup progress was made at the expense of Shrewsbury Town after a replay, but a Will Grigg double ended their FA Cup run at the fourth round three days ago and condemn Moyes to his first defeat of 2018.

View From The Opposition

David Moyes: "When I came here every game was a must win. Then we had big games with Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, and got points. I suppose we go into this game in the same way - a must-win. Football in the Premier League is that way now. I think it will be a tough game for both teams.

"We've moved out from the bottom three and we're up the table. The job now is to move into the top half is possible. But Roy has done a top job at Palace. He's got them going in the right direction. It's a tough game for us, but also for them as well."

Team News

Roy Hodgson has revealed that Mamadou Sakho has returned to training after a calf injury and could be included in the matchday squad, and Joel Ward is also fully fit and back in contention after a groin problem. Yohan Cabaye's issue with his ankle has also been overcome.

Joao Mario arrived from Inter Milan last week and looks set to feature, especially as Obiang, Carroll, Marko Arnautovic, Manuel Lanzini, Michail Antonio and Winston Reid are all unavailable through injury. There are also doubts over Mark Noble and Andre Ayew's fitness.

Meanwhile, Arthur Masuaku has been banned for six matches for spitting at an opponent duing the loss at Wigan, while Diafra Sakho has joined Rennes on a permanent deal.

Matchday Officials

It's a second Palace appointment of the season for Neil Swarbrick, who oversaw the Eagles' 5-0 defeat at Manchester City in September. He also oversaw the corresponding fixture last term that saw West Ham run out 3-0 victors - the first time in five league visits to the Hammers that Palace have lost.

Report: West Ham United 1-1 Crystal Palace

30 January 2018

Palace picked up their first ever point at the London Stadium as Christian Benteke netted for the second time this season to earn a draw against West Ham United.

In a game that won’t live long in the memory, Roy Hodgson’s team took the lead when the Belgian striker connected with an Andros Townsend cross on 24 minutes, but three minutes before half-time the hosts levelled through Mark Noble’s penalty, ensuring a share of the spoils in east London.

A shaky opening 10 minutes from the visitors allowed Joao Mario to scuff wide early into his league debut, and only a fantastic last-ditch sliding challenge by James Tomkins prevented Javier Hernandez from firing home the opener after a Sam Byram cross found its way into the Mexican marksman’s path.

But whilst it took 24 minutes to arrive, the Eagles’ first opportunity was worth the wait. Andros Townsend received a Luka Milivojevic pass on the halfway line and charged goalwards, teasing Declan Rice as he edged closer. Finding an extra yard of pace, he went past the young defender and stood up a cross that was begging to be attacked, and Benteke obliged by driving a powerful header past the helpless Adrian to net his second of the campaign.

A quiet half then saw Angelo Ogbonna head over a corner before Milivojevic blasted wide, but the game’s staccato nature wasn’t helped by a strange four minute delay that saw Bakary Sako injured in a challenge with Pablo Zabaleta, receive lengthy treatment and then immediately go straight back down upon his reintroduction, leading to his early withdrawal.

The stoppage seemed to affect Palace’s rhythm, and moments later they found themselves level after West Ham grabbed a way back into the contest on 43 minutes. Unlike his previous challenge on Hernandez, this time Tomkins mistimed his attempt and brought down the diminutive striker to concede a penalty against his former side, allowing Noble to send Wayne Hennessey the wrong way from 12 yards.

During six minutes of first half stoppage-time, Townsend forced Adrian into a sprawling stop before James McArthur nodded just wide, and Milivojevic was narrowly off target with a powerful rising shot from the edge of the box with the final action but the Eagles couldn’t quite restore their advantage before the break.

And it was only thanks to a fine reaction save by Hennessey that things remained that way five minutes after the restart. Mario found Byram on the right who put a cross onto the head of Hernandez, but despite it being at point-blank range the Welshman managed to push it away to safety.

But as the rain began to pour, the second half quickly became a damp squib with both teams lacking in moments of quality to seriously trouble either goalkeeper.

A tame Patrick van Aanholt free-kick and a wild blast over the bar by Rice were the only chances of a dull second 45, which was littered with sloppy concessions of passing combined with a lack of attacking thrust from both sides, meaning the game petered out to its conclusion.

West Ham Away Now Sold Out

Tickets for Crystal Palace's away trip to West Ham United on Tuesday 30th January are now sold out.

The away allocation for the game has completely sold out, but the club will be operating a waiting list for the fixture should any return tickets become available.

Fans wishing to join the waiting list should email boxoffice@cpfc.co.uk with their client reference number, the number of tickets they require and a contact telephone number. Please show subject line as West Ham Waiting List.